PEPC:  Supreme Court Will Not Favour Any Party, CJN

Post created on 11:48 am

A few weeks back there was a claim on social media that President Bola Tinubu had a phone conversation with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola over what will transpire at the presidential election petition court.

To refute the claim, the Supreme Court released a statement on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Dr. Festus Akande that such conversation never transpired between the president and CJN.

The statement reads: “Given the rumour currently circulating in the social media space that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola had a telephone conversation with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) to pressurize the Presidential Election Petition Court on the likely judgment to give, it is imperative to state clearly that there is no atom of truth in that speculation.

“The proceedings have been well followed by Nigerians. So, we all should sustain the tempo and follow it up to the end, instead of relapsing into the realm of speculations and rumour peddling that will not do anyone any good.

“Caution is needed here to put an end to such malicious falsehood, to save our nation and make her sustain the progress needed. The courts are statutorily established to serve the best interest of the masses, and we are ever poised to do that to the best of our ability.

The court also further pleaded with Nigerians to cooperate with the judiciary who are every ready to serve the nation in full capacity and no party will be favoured against another.

“The rule of law and supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution will always be upheld and applied in every matter that comes before the courts; as the facts presented and the subsisting laws must be applied in determining the merit or otherwise of each matter.

“The public should rest assured that justice will be done to all matters pending in the various courts across the country, irrespective of who is involved.”

[SA]